Observer – Mobitel schoolboy cricketer of the year:

Play hard, work for team and results will come - Sidath Wettimuny

by A. C. de Silva

OBSERVER - MOBITEL AWARDS: It was a gathering of old and not-so-old faces at the 31st OBSERVER - MOBITEL CRICKET’S SHOWPIECE - the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Awards Ceremony where old familiar faces gathered together to give the rich dressing to this familiar awards show last Tuesday at the hallowed meeting place for functions - the BMICH.

There was that ever popular and humble cricketer Sidath Wettimuny for whom it was the “second innings” at the show, having come for the show two years ago and there were other cricket’s “VIP’s” like Cricket Board Interim Committee Chairman D. Somachandra de Silva, Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and Ashantha de Mel were spotted in the audience.

The Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge made a beeline to the show venue to give it the all important rich look and it was a memorable occasion for Dinesh Chandimal of Ananda College to receive the Observer - Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Trophy from the Minister while the Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Award was received by Imesh Udayanga of Dharmasoka College from chief guest Sidath Wettimuny.

There were many eye-catching awards got up by the sponsors Mobitel to give it the rich look that will last as a living memory to the cricketers who received them. The Most Popular Observer - Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Award in the All-Island category went to St. Peter’s skipper Angelo Perera while Indunil Kumara the captain of Devapathiraja Vidyalaya, Sandalanka, Ratgama won the Outstation Most Popular Award.

Batting, as he has done without much problems during his career, with many records and making his mark in the international scene, Sidath Wettimuny showed that he was also a clever speaker too while talking about the game.

He was the sole speaker among the VIPs and he handed out some sound advice to the young schoolboy cricketers gathered. He said that it is the dream of schoolboy cricketers to win awards at functions. “Play hard and work hard for your team and returns will come your way.” he told the schoolboy cricketers gathered at the show.

Wettimuny said that the ultimate aim of a schoolboy should be to represent the country and the schoolboys are bound to get their returns if they play according to the advice meted out by the coaches.

He said that sponsors are also necessary to take the game forward in organising cricket related events. Cricket is a way of life and teaches the young players, besides the finer points of the game, the good things in life.

“Cricket is a great game and the school teams have a big part to play in taking the game forward. The coaches must teach the mental side of the game to the players and once the youngsters grasp the finer points of the game they will be able to forge ahead.” Wettimuny said.

He said that cricket is a mind game and the cricketers, especially the young up-and-coming cricketers must think before venturing out into extravagant missions. For Ananda’s skipper Dinesh Chandimal, It was a memorable show. He was Observer - Mobitel Schoolboy cricketer of the year All-Island, Best Filder, Best Captain and runner - up Best Batsman.

The awards ceremony was spruced up by a lively musical show.

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